Diving and Snorkelling in Thailand, Made Easy

July 26, 2017

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Thailand has long been known for its unspoiled, never-ending sandy beaches. Some of the best hidden gems of the Kingdom’s idyllic coastline can be found beyond the shallows – home to some of the world’s best deep water diving and snorkelling. From novice to expert, there is something for everyone.

A deep dive into getting the most out of an underwater paradise

To enjoy these underwater delights to the max, divers need to consider their safety – before, during and after a dive – with these simple tips on diving and snorkelling in Thailand:

Before

Keep Fit: ensuring your body is ready for a dive is one of the best ways you can prepare. Both aerobic and anaerobic exercise is key. A healthy body can also mean you use less precious oxygen when under water, and may lessen the risk of pressure-related illness.

Stay hydrated: and remember that dehydration can be caused by holiday favourites like alcohol, coffee and soft drinks.

Get enough rest: and don’t rush in to your dive: these are two of the primary risk factors when it comes to diving. If you’ve had a long journey, pay special attention to signs of exhaustion, and if you’re coming directly from a cold climate, pause for a while: getting underwater right away can cause your body to go into shock.

Use well maintained equipment: faulty or damaged equipment can lead to accidents, so making sure it’s fully functional. If you’re not sure, don’t take the risk.

Use a wetsuit: it can help prevent heat loss – which can lead to a loss of consciousness – and can lower the risk of getting decompression sickness (or ‘the bends’).

During

Support on the surface: make sure you have someone at the surface to help if you need it, and a supply of emergency oxygen on the boat.

Rise slowly to the surface, and make a safety stop when ascending from each dive, where you stop for 3-5 minutes at a depth of around 5-6 meters.

After

Reward yourself with enough rest: while all may have gone well under the water, divers can still take in a lot of nitrogen and risk the bends, so avoid heavy exercise after a dive. So, rest for at least an hour and drink plenty of water.

Don’t fly immediately after diving: it’s recommended to wait between 12 and 18 hours, or even up to a day before jetting off. Better still, take your dives in the middle of your holiday, allowing your body to adapt to the environment. Above all, remember to allow time to ‘off gas’ before boarding.

Equipped with these tips, visitors can be assured of memories to last a lifetime.